WETHERSFIELD - Unemployment claims for the
two-week period ending February 23 averaged 54,410, up 333 or 0.6 percent from
the previous period, State Labor Commissioner Patricia H. Mayfield reported
today.

Compared with the same period a year ago – when the
number of claims statewide totaled 54,156 – unemployment claims are up by 254.
This is a 0.5 percent increase.

Regular state initial (first-time) filings increased to 4,580 from the prior
two-week level of 4,158. Continued claims decreased to 49,830 from 49,919.
Included in these figures were 2,561 temporary filings. Regular benefits expired
for 657 claimants.

The insured unemployment rate, defined as continued claims filed during the most
recent 13-week period, was 2.8 percent. This is up from 2.6 percent two weeks
ago and up from 2.7 percent one year ago.

Claims activity was up in nine of the fourteen Connecticut Department of Labor
offices throughout the state.